School Social Workers Sanctioned by State Departments of Education and State Licensing Boards

This article presents the results of a study on the unprofessional conduct of school social workers who have been sanctioned by state regulatory boards (boards of education and licensing boards). The data represent information from 14 states and the District of Columbia. Results indicate that school social workers are rarely sanctioned at the state level. State licensing boards sanctioned more social workers who practice in school settings than did state departments of education. When state departments of education reported sanctioning social workers, the cases were most frequently related to child pornography and dual sexual relationships. State licensing boards were more likely to sanction school social workers in less serious cases, with dispositions that included suspensions, probation, supervision, and written reprimands. The article concludes with a discussion of the implications of these findings and suggestions for further research.